SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 3: Power employees of the state will go on a two-day token strike on December 8 and 9 in protest against the non-implementation of a written agreement by the management of Jharkhand Urja Vikash Nigam Limited (JUVNL).
Moreover, Jharkhand Rajya Bijili Kamgar Union (JRBKU), one of the frontal organisations of power employees, has charged that since JUVNL management has not implemented the demands despite signing an agreement several times, employees have left no option but to go on token strike.
JRBKU general secretary Ramkrishna Singh said that the union has already informed JUVNL management about the two-day token strike under Section 22 (1) of the Industrial Dispute Act. The Union had given 15 days time on November 9 either implement the agreement or face the music.
He said that the two-day token strike will hit production in coal mines, the movement of railways, water supply systems, health services in hospitals, small industries and general consumers. JUVNL management will be responsible for all the mess.
“Employees have been compelled to go on token strike as management did not implement the agreement and has kept employees in dark. Since 2019, JUVNL management has signed four times written agreements with the union for implementing demands on July 11, 2022, October 8, 2022, August 5, 2021 and August 8, 2019. But the management did not implement the demands of the employees. The ignorance of agreement has triggered sharp resentment among employees,” said general secretary Ramkrishna Singh.
He said the main demands of the union are a 6 per cent power allowance and a Rs 3000 pay grade scale for employees. At present, power employees are getting a Rs 2700 pay grade.
Singh said the union has also informed the chief minister and other concerned authorities about the strike and has urged to intervene in the matter so that employees do not need to go on strike.
